THE KERN RIVER OUTING OF 1916 

 By Jessie McGilvray Treat 



THE weeks and months of anticipation were at an end, for 

 the first of July had come at last, and we were actually- 

 started for Kern River Canon. The Fates had decreed from 

 the first moment that this should be the best outing ever taken 

 by the Sierra Club. High fog, heaven-sent, made the much 

 dreaded tramp through the foothills to Nelson's a deUght. In- 

 spired by that incomparable elation that comes when we can 

 live each moment for the sheer joy of it, and measure our days 

 only by our unrestrained pleasure and incessant delight, we 

 swung up the trail, radiant. The path led up a closely covered 

 foothill canon, wooded with chaparral and occasional fine trees, 

 now and then crossing rushing creeks which later poured into 

 the South Fork of the Tule. An early luncheon close beside 

 the stream, a drowsy half -hour stretched out in the shade listen- 

 ing to the ceaseless chatter of the swirling water, and then, re- 

 freshed, we pushed on to Nelson's. At this first camp all the old 

 Sierrans graciously offered advice and assistance to the new- 

 comers and the genial good-fellowship, which prevails through- 

 out the outing, was at once manifest. Toward evening a rift in 

 the fog gave us some idea of the beauty of the surrounding 

 hills, and a rosy sunset glow promised a sunny morrow. This 

 second day will be remembered by all forest-lovers, for our way 

 was through superb sequoia groves on both sides of the Tule- 

 Kern Divide. Fine specimens of sugar pine, yellow pine, and 

 fir added variety. Then we followed down Freeman's Creek to 

 Lloyd's Meadows, where we pitched our camp. Those who 

 fortunately arrived early had the joy of a swim and developed 

 great dexterity in catching the lemons which floated down- 

 stream from the soda-spring above, using them for manicure or 

 shampoo, as fancy or necessity dictated. 



Out of this meadow we climbed, a thousand feet, to drop 

 down again to the ford of the Little Kern, where we all antici- 

 pated much amusement. Some waded across, the swift current 



